Thalassaemia is the name for a group of inherited conditions that affect a substance in the blood called haemoglobin.

People with the condition produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. This can make them very anaemic (tired, short of breath and pale).

It mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern origin.

There are a number of types of thalassaemia, which can be divided into alpha and beta thalassaemias. Beta thalassaemia major is the most severe type. Other types include beta thalassaemia intermedia, alpha thalassaemia major and haemoglobin H disease.

It's also possible to be a "carrier" of thalassaemia, also known as having the thalassaemia trait. Thalassaemia carriers don't have any serious health problems themselves, but are at risk of having children with the condition.

Treatments for thalassaemia

People with thalassaemia major or other serious types will need specialist care throughout their lives.

The main treatments are:

Blood transfusions – regular blood transfusions are given to treat and prevent anaemia; in severe cases these are needed around once a month.

Chelation therapy – treatment with medications to remove the excess iron from the body that builds up as a result of having regular blood transfusions. Some people experience a build-up of iron even without transfusions and need treatment for this.

Eating a healthy diet, doing regular exercise and not smoking or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can also help to ensure you stay as healthy as possible.

Outlook for thalassaemia

Although the main problems associated with thalassaemia can often be managed with treatment, it's still a serious condition that can have a significant impact on a person's life.

Even in mild cases with few symptoms, there's still a risk you could pass on a more serious form of the condition to your children.

Without close monitoring and regular treatment, the most severe types can cause serious organ damage and can be life-threatening.

In the past, severe thalassaemia was often fatal by early adulthood. But with current treatments, average life expectancy is expected to increase significantly, with people likely to live into their 50s, 60s and beyond.

Carriers of thalassaemia (thalassaemia trait)

A carrier of thalassemia is someone who carries at least one of the faulty genes that causes thalassaemia, but doesn't have the condition themselves. It's also known as having the thalassaemia trait.

People with this trait won't develop severe thalassaemia, but are at risk of having a child with the condition if their partner is also a carrier.